8 Valid Concerns About 2019's Remaining Video Games

2. The Budget Isn't Going To Be High Enough - Shenmue 3

Considering the history of Shenmue - of it being one of the most influential titles of all time, replete with a level of interaction few titles would ever come close to - it's strange the final instalment is arriving on next to no hype.

Possibly down to Shenmue being older than the vast majority of the industry's target market, or the fact it was created from a Kickstarter, therefore ensuring an audience and minimising the need for in-depth gameplay previews, I think the real issue is the budget.

Shenmue III grossed an impressive-sounding 7.1 million dollars in total, which to any budding indie developer, would be more than enough. However, Shenmue I and II were co-developed to the tune of 70 million dollars - a record figure that has made gaming history ever since.

Times obviously change and that figure has been disputed or lowered to nearer $47 million, but at no point would any prior Shenmue be possible on the "shoestring" equivalent of $7 million.

This drastically reduced amount answers why things like facial animation is so woefully lacking, why we haven't seen more detailed hands-on gameplay outside of controlled demos, and why right now, only Shenmue fans are excited for Shenmue.

Maybe it's a self-fulfilling business loop that Shenmue III is built for those who adored it first time round and no one else, but doesn't that also feel like a massive missed opportunity to become legend all over again?